September 30, 2013

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It was very mild here yesterday. The temperature may have gotten into the 80s for awhile, but it mostly stayed in the 70s.

Very pleasant, but, according to the forecasters, it won't last long. Today is supposed to be in the 80s, but then temperatures are expected to be around 90° Tuesday through Thursday (possibly Friday) before it cools back down this weekend.

Anyway, my meter reading this morning is 11930. Yesterday's reading was 11920 so consumption was 10 kWh. That's a drop of more than 31%.

And it is a decline of nearly 17% when compared to my consumption on this date a year ago.

September 29, 2013

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Yesterday's temperature was warm, not hot, but I wound up running the air conditioning more than I intended because the humidity was so darn high.

We had some rain yesterday, and it was bookended by some very high humidity. It was so high that my shirt would be drenched in perspiration, and all I was doing was sitting on the couch watching football on TV.

So I ran the air conditioning more than I expected, and my electricity usage was higher as a result. But not much.

This morning's meter reading is 11920. Yesterday's reading was between 11905 and 11906 so my consumption was 14½ kWh. That is nearly 12% higher than the previous 24 hours — precisely the same difference between today and this day in 2012.

September 28, 2013

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If the forecasters are correct, we can expect daytime highs in the 80s and nighttime lows in the 60s for the next seven days — at least.

It still got into the 90s (for awhile) yesterday, and I think everyone in this area (well, almost everyone) hopes we have seen the last of the 90°–plus days for awhile.

The cooler temperatures are also expected to bring rain to the area, and I wouldn't be surprised if we get some today. It is overcast this morning, and my meter photo is hard to read because of it.

This morning's meter reading is between 11905 and 11906. Yesterday's meter reading was between 11892 and 11893. Consumption was 13 kWh. That's a drop of more than 10% compared to the day before.

And it is nearly 40% more than this day in 2012.

September 27, 2013

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The heat seems to be gradually dropping.

It was in the 90s yesterday, and it is supposed to be in the 90s today, but the forecast high is a little lower each day, and, starting tomorrow, the daytime highs are expected to stay in the 80s as far as the predictions currently go.

This morning's meter reading is between 11892 and 11893. Yesterday's reading was 11878 so consumption was 14½ kWh — a drop of 1 kWh or about 6%.

And it is a drop of about 29% compared to this day last year.

September 26, 2013

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Yesterday seemed like a copy of the day before. Temperatures were in the 90s in the afternoon. Might have been a little warmer last night than it was the night before, but it probably dipped into the upper 60s.

Which, as I pointed out yesterday, may be the reason why the air conditioning hasn't been running much during the day — the place tends to cool off at night, and it takes awhile for enough heat to build up in my apartment to set off the air conditioning.

When I went to check the meter this morning, my expectation was that usage wouldn&pos;t be too great because it seemed to get cool last night.

And it wasn't too great — but it did go up a bit.

This morning's meter reading is 11878. Yesterday's reading was between 11862 and 11863 so consumption was 15½ kWh. That's an increase of more than 36% compared to the previous 24 hours — which sounds worse than it is, considering the consumption level.

And my consumption is nearly 29% lower than it was on this day last year.

September 25, 2013

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The heat returned yesterday. Temperatures were in the mid–90s in the afternoon, and the forecasts say we can expect that until this weekend.

For the most part, though, nighttime lows should be in the 60s, and the accumulated cool nighttime air may help keep electricity consumption down during the day. I am convinced that it helped me yesterday because, even though consumption did go up, the increase really wasn't that much. I mean, it was about 10 degrees warmer yesterday than it has been for nearly a week, but my increase was 2½ kWh. That is quite a bit proportionately (more than 29%) but not numerically.

This morning's meter reading is between 11862 and 11863. Yesterday's reading was between 11851 and 11852. As I say, that is a 2½ kWh increase over the previous 24 hours.

But it is 44% less than my consumption a year ago today.

September 24, 2013

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Yesterday was another mild day, but the weather forecasters are saying we can expect low 90s through Saturday. For the most part, nighttime lows should stay in the 60s.

This morning's meter reading is between 11851 and 11852. Yesterday's meter reading was 11843 so consumption was 8½ kWh, which is a drop of 2½ kWh in the last 24 hours — nearly 23%.

And it is about 63% lower than my consumption on this date last year.

September 23, 2013

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Yesterday was practically a carbon copy of the day before.

The high was in the mid–80s after spending much of the day in the 70s. Last night's low was in the 60s — so I was a little baffled to discover that my electricity consumption went up. It went up slightly (about 1 kWh), but I find it hard to imagine why it was so.

This morning's meter reading is 11843. Yesterday's reading was 11832 so consumption was 11 kWh. That is an increase of 1 kWh over the previous 24–hour period — about 10%.

But it is about 37% lower than my consumption on this date last year.

September 22, 2013

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Yesterday was another mild day. Shortly before 1 p.m., the temperature was only 81°, and the humidity was so low that the heat index was actually 79°.

It got a little warmer later in the day — but not much. Around 4 p.m., the temperature was 85°, but the heat index was 82°.

The forecasters expected another pleasant night — with lows possibly in the upper 50s — and I can only guess they were right. It got rather cool last night.

I had hoped to keep my consumption in single digits, but, even without the air conditioning running, I figured my consumption would go up. I was home all day, and I used various electric appliances that normally don't run when I am home. And I was right. Consumption did go up.

This morning's meter reading is 11832. Yesterday's reading was 11822 so consumption was 10 kWh, which was about 53% higher than my consumption in the last 24 hours.

However, on this day in 2012, the cool front was past and warmer temperatures had returned so my consumption today compared to this date last year is down about 44%.

September 21, 2013

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The anticipated cool front kept temperatures down yesterday. I wouldn't be surprised if the temperature didn't get into the 80s — or, if it did, it didn't stay there long.

The forecast calls for temperatures in the 80s for the next three days — and nighttime lows in the 60s. That's what was predicted for last night, and it wouldn't surprise me if it did drop into the 60s last night. I slept pretty well.

Anyway ...

This morning's meter reading is 11822. Yesterday's reading was between 11815 and 11816. That means consumption was only 6½ kWh. That's a drop of nearly 61% compared to the previous 24 hours.

And it's nearly 54% lower than my consumption on this day last year — when the cool front apparently left the area and warm weather returned for awhile.

September 20, 2013

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Persistent cloud cover kept the temperature mostly in the 80s yesterday. It managed to get into the 90s late in the day, but then it started raining and the temperature was in the 70s before I went to bed.

I guess it stayed in the 70s all night because it was 72° when I got up this morning.

It is expected to stay in the 70s today, then drop into the 60s tonight. Weekend highs are supposed to rise into the 80s, but the lows are expected to remain in the 60s for the next week.

This morning's meter reading is between 11815 and 11816. Yesterday's reading was 11799. That means consumption in the last 24 hours was roughly 16½ kWh — and I expect the readings for the next three or four days to be in the teens — if not single digits.

Consumption went down 24% in the last 24 hours.

But that cool front was still with us a year ago so my consumption is 83% higher than it was on this date in 2012.

September 19, 2013

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It was warmer yesterday than it was the day before. By the noon hour, it was already 93°, warmer still by mid–afternoon.

It got warmer still, I'm sure, but I was in the newsroom yesterday afternoon.

This morning's meter reading confirmed my belief that it was warmer yesterday. Today's reading is 11799. Yesterday's reading was 11777 so consumption was 22 kWh — 10% higher than the previous 24 hours.

Thanks to that cool front that was in the area last year, though, consumption was more than double compared to this date in 2012. However, we may see the playing field leveled this weekend. The forecast calls for daytime highs in the 80s and nighttime lows in the 60s.

September 18, 2013

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It was not as hot as I expected yesterday. I heard forecasts of temperatures around 96° and a heat index that would flirt with triple digits.

But the temperature was in the low 90s most of the afternoon. We had considerable cloud cover yesterday. I presume that was the reason why it wasn't as hot as expected.

This morning's meter reading is 11777. Yesterday's reading was 11757. Consumption was 20 kWh. That's a drop of nearly 17% compared to the previous 24 hours.

But, thanks to that persistent cool front a year ago, my consumption is still about 67% higher than it was on this date in 2012.

September 17, 2013

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The temperature was in the upper 90s yesterday, I know that much. I don't think it was in triple digits, but I'm sure it was 97° or 98°.

The weather forecast says temperatures will be in the 80s this weekend — a glimmer of hope that we're not far from the milder days of fall. We're told that overnight lows this weekend will be in the upper 60s or lower 70s.

This morning's meter reading is 11757. Yesterday's reading was 11733 so consumption was 24 kWh. That is a drop of nearly 8% compared to the previous 24–hour period.

But, because of that cool front the area was enjoying a year ago, my consumption is nearly 85% higher than it was on this date in 2012.

September 16, 2013

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I spent most of yesterday afternoon indoors watching football. My best guess is that the high was around 95°.

That seems to be what we can expect for the remainder of the week — mid–90s during the days, mid– to upper 70s at night. But current forecasts are suggesting that highs will be around 89° this weekend.

Today's meter reading is 11733. Yesterday's reading was 11707. Consumption was 26 kWh, an increase of about 18% over the previous 24 hours.

And, because of the cool front that settled over the area at this time last year, it is double my consumption from this date in 2012.

September 15, 2013

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The temperature was milder yesterday than it has been. Not cool, exactly, just not as hot — when you are conditioned for 100° and upper 90s days, a day like yesterday can seem mild by comparison.

By mid–afternoon, the temperature was only 90°, and humidity was low so there was no heat index to speak of. In the next couple of hours, the temperature rose to the mid–90s, a few degrees higher than had been predicted.

My electricity consumption went up a little, too.

This morning's meter reading is 11707. Yesterday's reading was 11685. That means consumption was 22 kWh. That is nearly 16% higher than the previous 24 hours.

And, because area temperatures apparently plunged into the 60s on this day in 2012, my consumption is nearly three times that of a year ago!

September 14, 2013

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Yesterday was another long day in the newsroom for me. I know it was hot when I went up to school at 12:30, and it was still warm, although the sky was dark, when I left the newsroom at 8 p.m.

It wasn't supposed to be in triple digits, but it might have been. However, my electricity consumption in the last 24 hours suggests that was not the case.

This morning's meter reading is 11685. Yesterday's meter reading was 11666 so consumption in the last 24 hours was 19 kWh. That's nearly 14% lower than the previous 24 hours.

But that persistent cool front this area was enjoying a year ago means that my consumption, as low as it was compared to recent figures, was about 36% higher than this date in 2012.

September 13, 2013

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Once again, I spent a lot of time on campus yesterday so I have no idea what the temperature was like outside for much of the day.

I do know it was hot again, probably not in triple digits — but still hot. There is a glimmer of hope in the forecast. Nighttime lows are supposed to drop to around 70° tonight and tomorrow, and daytime highs are expected to be in the low 90s (if not upper 80s) through the next seven days.

This morning's meter reading is 11666. Yesterday's reading was 11644 so consumption was 22 kWh. That's a drop of 12% in the last 24 hours.

But that cool front was still with us a year ago today so my consumption is nearly 47% higher than it was on this date in 2012.

September 12, 2013

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Yesterday morning, it appeared as if the forecast of 97° for a high temperature would come to pass.

By mid–morning, the temperature was 86° (heat index was 90°).

Beyond that I don't honestly know. I spent a portion of yesterday afternoon in the newsroom. I know it was warm, bordering on hot, when I went to school. It was hot but not triple–digit hot when I left.

This morning's meter reading is 11644. Yesterday's reading was 11619 so consumption was 25 kWh. That's a 19% increase over the previous 24 hours.

And it is a 67% increase over this day in 2012.

September 11, 2001

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At 3 p.m. yesterday, the temperature was 94°. Obviously, that is hot, but it isn't as hot as it has been, and I felt I had good reason to expect my electricity consumption to go down.

That was going to be a neat trick if it panned out. My consumption in the previous 24 hours was 23 kWh.

As it turned out, my consumption did go down.

This morning's meter reading is 11619. Yesterday's reading was 11598. My consumption in the last 24 hours was 21 kWh, a drop of nearly 9%.

But, thanks to that persistent cool snap the area was enjoying last year, my consumption is 5% higher than it was on this day in 2012.

September 10, 2013

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Summer weather seems to be slowly receding.

Daytime temperatures have been hot of late — but not as hot as they have been — and nighttime lows have consistently been in the 70s.

Once again, I do not think that the temperature reached triple digits. It probably got close — like within a degree or two — but it didn't actually hit 100° and I was hopeful, when I went out to check my meter this morning, that my consumption would remain below 30 kWh.

It did.

This morning's meter reading is 11598. Yesterday's reading was 11575 so consumption was 23 kWh. That is a drop of about 13% compared to the previous 24 hours.

However, because of the cool front in this area on this date last year, it is about 21% higher than it was a year ago.

September 9, 2013

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You know, it seems redundant — not to mention unnecessary — to mention that it is hot around here at this time of the year — except on those rare occasions when it isn't hot.

We've had a few of those this summer. We always do. But they are few and far between.

It is news around here when it is less hot than we expected, and that seems to be the case with the local weather forecasts.

There is still virtually no chance for rain, but the anticipated high temperatures are not quite as high as they were a few days ago — when forecasters were predicting a stretch of 100° days. Current forecasts now call for highs in the mid– to upper 90s.

In other words, we can expect a week that will be a lot like yesterday — hot but not quite as hot as it has been. The temperature was 96° around 2 o'clock, and it was 98° a couple of hours later.

It may have gone up a degree or two before it started its very gradual cooling down period at the end of the day.

This morning's meter reading is 11575. Yesterday's reading was between 11548 and 11549 so my consumption was 26½ kWh. That's a drop of nearly 12% from my consumption rate of the previous 24 hours.

However, because of a cool front in this area on this day last year, my consumption is nearly 38% higher than it was a year ago.

September 8, 2013

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I spent most of the day indoors yesterday so I don't really know what the temperature was like — first hand, anyway.

But I did monitor conditions on the NOAA website, and the temperature was in the 90s before noon so it is plausible to believe that we got into triple digits. Based on the forecasts for the next week, if we don't get into triple digits, we won't miss by much.

This morning's meter reading is between 11548 and 11549. Yesterday, the reading was between 11518 and 11519 so consumption was 30 kWh. That's a 13% increase over the previous 24 hours. I attribute that to the fact that I was home all day yesterday, and I wasn't home much during the daylight hours on Friday.

I expect my consumption today to be close, if not identical, to yesterday's.

Compared to this day in 2012, my consumption was nearly 14% higher.

September 7, 2013

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Yesterday was Friday. During the school year, I spend a lot of time on Fridays in the Richland newsroom, and that was the case yesterday.

One of my fellow faculty advisers half–jokingly told us, after he had returned from running an errand in the middle of the afternoon, that it was hot outside, and I figured the forecasts of highs near 100° turned out to be on the money. But I didn't know that for certain.

All I could anticipate was another high–electricity consumption day when I checked the meter this morning.

This morning's reading is between 11518 and 11519. Yesterday's reading was 11492. Thus, my consumption was 26½ kWh. That is a decrease over the previous 24 hours — but by less than 2%.

It is about 7% lower than my consumption on this day in 2012.

September 6, 2013

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The temperature was in triple digits yesterday, according to NOAA, and I have no reason to doubt it.

I was listening to the radio as I was driving home around 5 p.m., and they reported the temperature was 96°. But I think the radio folks lie.

Anyway ...

This morning's meter reading is 11492. Yesterday&apos[s reading was 11465 so consumption was 27 kWh in the last 24 hours. That's a 10% drop.

And it is more than 18% lower than my consumption on this date last year.

September 5, 2013

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I was monitoring the weather conditions yesterday morning. The NOAA website is my primary source for that kind of thing. I have found its forecasts to be more reliable than any other weather website I have seen, but it only updates temperatures and other conditions (like wind speed, heat index, wind chill, etc.) every hour. Unless you happen to check it within minutes of the latest update, you're likely to be looking at conditions that are not very current.

Anyway, I checked the conditions yesterday shortly before 10 a.m. — which means the conditions were actually from about 9 a.m. At that time, the website showed a temperature around 80°. I checked it again a couple of minutes later when the conditions had been updated, and the temperature had shot up to 89°. I know it didn't happen that rapidly, but, even so, it was a bit startling.

I heard on the radio, around 1 p.m., that the temperature was 96°, nearly the predicted high temperature. It probably exceeded the prediction. Last night, around 9 p.m., the temperature was 94°. Supposedly, the low was going to be 76°. I don't know if it made it.

I was pretty sure when I got up this morning that I wouldn't be getting any good news when I read the meter. And it wasn't good (or, at least, what I would consider good). But neither was it bad, really.

This morning's meter reading is 11465. Yesterday's meter reading was 11435. Consumption was 30 kWh, which is the same as it was yesterday. No change.

Inexplicably, my consumption on this date a year ago was 25 kWh so my usage was up 20% by comparison.

September 4, 2013

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I was on campus most of the day yesterday, teaching my developmental writing class and working in the newsroom so I don't know precisely how hot it was.

I do know it was already hot when I left for school yesterday morning, and it was hot when I drove home late in the afternoon. When I checked my meter this morning, I could only hope for the best.

The revised weather outlook has taken triple–digit readings out of the immediate forecast. Psychologically, that makes a difference. Realistically, not so much.

Today's meter reading is 11435. Yesterday's reading was 11405 so I used 30 kWh in the last 24 hours. That's an increase of about 7%.

And it is a 6% decrease compared to this day in 2012.

September 3, 2013

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A cool front came through the area and brought some light rain Sunday night, and it lingered into the day yesterday.

By mid–afternoon, the temperature was still in the mid–80s (the heat index, however, was near 90°). It probably got into the low or mid–90s at some point, but the forecast for the next several days isn't quite as bad as it was.

We still have some 100s in the forecast, but today and tomorrow have been removed from that list. It will still be hot — 98° or 99°, they say — just not quite as hot.

Anyway, today's meter reading is 11405. Yesterday's reading was 11377. Thus, my consumption was 28 kWh. That is a decrease of more than 12% from yesterday.

And it is more than 24% below my consumption on this day last year.

September 2, 2013

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Forecasts said yesterday's high would be more than 100°. I have no reason to think it didn't. I ran some errands yesterday morning, and the radio reported temperatures in the 90s before 11 a.m.

I can't say precisely how hot it was yesterday, but my electricity consumption stayed in the 30–kWh range. However, it wasn't as high as it was yesterday.

This morning's meter reading is 11377. Yesterday's reading was 11345 so consumption was 32 kWh. That is a drop of about 16%. And it is about 6% lower than this time last year.

September 1, 2013

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Tomorrow is Labor Day, and this is looking like it will be the warmest Labor Day weekend in memory.

It was well over 100° yesterday, even for awhile after the sun went down, and the temperature is expected to be in triple digits again today. Then a modest cool front is supposed to arrive, bringing temperatures that stay in the 90s through the rest of the week.

I was home most of the day, watching football so I knew even before I went out to check my meter that my consumption would be higher than it was the day before. And it was.

This morning's meter reading is 11345. Yesterday's reading was 11307 so consumption was a whopping 38 kWh. That's an increase of nearly 36% over the previous 24 hours.

But it's only 15% higher than last year on this date.